Herbal Treatments for Tapeworm

Once in your system, a tapeworm may reach up to 50 feet in length. It’s possible to have tapeworms without experiencing any symptoms, but if the worms migrate from the intestines (where they originate) to other areas in the body, they may cause serious damage to organs and tissue, advises the Mayo Clinic. Tapeworm diagnosis may involve physically inspecting the feces for worm segments or providing a stool sample for laboratory testing. Once diagnosed, you may use herbal treatments to get rid of tapeworms, with your doctor’s approval.

Spices

The "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine" reports that additional herbal spices may be beneficial in destroying tapeworms in the intestines 2. These include:

• cloves
  
• ginger
  
• orange peel
  
• onion
  
• sage
  
• fennel

Add these herbs to your foods to fight ongoing infestations and to prevent recurring tapeworm infections.

Herbal Tea/Supplements

Some herbs aren’t suitable for flavoring foods but they may still be beneficial in killing tapeworms. Most of these herbs are available from health food stores in tea form or as supplements. Follow the manufacturer’s dosage instructions. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not extensively test most herbal remedies, some may contain substances that produce side effects, especially if you have allergies or if you’re currently taking medication. Consult a certified herbalist or a doctor of naturopathy before exceeding the recommended dosage on any herbal remedy and discontinue use if you experience side effects.

Expellant

After three or four days of using herbal treatments to kill tapeworms in the intestines, your herbalist may recommend an expellant to flush the dead parasites from your system. The juice from the aloe vera plant may produce a laxative effect, helping you empty your intestines and colon, along with the dead tapeworms. Prune juice may have a similar effect.

If you’re pregnant, do not use herbal remedies to kill or to expel tapeworms without your doctor’s approval. In addition, if the tapeworms have migrated to other areas in your body, herbal remedies may not be effective and you should seek medical advice.